The action by Judge T.S. Ellis III will not free Jackson, 57, in time for Christmas, but would likely release him from the federal prison in Morgantown, W.Va., sometime next month. He has served 32 months, since March 2007, and would get credit for good behavior.

Jefferson was found guilty on 11 of 16 counts, including bribery, racketeering, honest services fraud and conspiracy. He was sentenced by Ellis to 13 years in prison, but remains free pending what is likely to be lengthy appeals process.

Ellis will rule next month on another government motion to reduce the eight-year sentence the judge gave former Jefferson legislative aide Brett Pfeffer, who also testified at Jefferson's trial.

In asking Ellis to reduce Jackson's sentence, federal prosecutor Rebecca Bellows said that Jackson had cooperated with the government's investigation "from the outset," starting Aug. 3, 2005, when FBI agents simultaneously raided Jefferson's homes in New Orleans and Washington, D.C., and interviewed Jackson as his Louisville, Ky., residence. It was the same day the FBI agents also searched the home of Atiku Abubakar, who was then the vice president of Nigeria.

Jackson's time in prison has been difficult, his attorney Michael Nachmanoff said, citing his inability to care for his wife, Sandra, who suffers from a serious back injury.

"Nevertheless he has used his time wisely while incarcerated by leading Bible study classes and acting as a mentor for other prisoners," Nachmanoff said.

In his testimony during Jefferson's trial, Jackson said that he agreed to provide payments and stock to a business controlled by Jefferson's family in return for the congressman's help -- ultimately unsuccessful -- in pursuit of telecommunications contracts in western Africa.
Jackson was the first witness called by the government, and was on the stand for nearly a week.

He referred to Jefferson on multiple occasions as "U.S. Congressman William Jefferson," making a point that in his view the New Orleans Democrat was acting in his official capacity while trying to influence foreign leaders.

Jefferson's lawyers argued that Jefferson was acting as a private businessman, not as a member of Congress, when he tried to gain support for business projects, including Jackson's.

Bruce Alpert can be reached at balpert@timespicayune.com or 202.383.7861.